Driver door doesn't open at all

Post by **Big_Tone** » Sat Feb 17, 2024 4:10 pm

Took my car to the shop to replace the window regulator and the external door handle. I get the call that my car is ready and when I go to pick it up the door doesn't open at all (inside or outside). It previously opened from the outside. Anyone know how to open the door when neither handle works?

Post by **VStar650CL** » Sat Feb 17, 2024 4:23 pm

Aargh, take it back to them. I bet the guy didn't fully seat the cable to the handle, or didn't reconnect the linkage rod from the cylinder to the door lock. See if the door will open after using the inside unlock button, if so he left the linkage rod dangling. If not he didn't connect the cable correctly. In that case the only solution is to get the door panel off in situ, and that's never easy. On some cars the only answer is to destroy the inside panel. They f#<ked it up, let them fix it. If you try to do anything, they can claim it's your fault, so don't go there.

Post by **Big_Tone** » Sat Feb 17, 2024 4:44 pm

VStar650CL wrote: ↑
Sat Feb 17, 2024 4:23 pm
Aargh, take it back to them. I bet the guy didn't fully seat the cable to the handle, or didn't reconnect the linkage rod from the cylinder to the door lock. See if the door will open after using the inside unlock button, if so he left the linkage rod dangling. If not he didn't connect the cable correctly. In that case the only solution is to get the door panel off in situ, and that's never easy. On some cars the only answer is to destroy the inside panel. They f#<ked it up, let them fix it. If you try to do anything, they can claim it's your fault, so don't go there.

I left it with them. When I went to pick it up yesterday it wouldn't open, so they know I didn't do anything. They were having difficulty, because the door isn't opening, so I was checking to see if there are any tricks to get it open.

Post by **VStar650CL** » Sat Feb 17, 2024 5:27 pm

Nope, there's no arm or anything to catch with a slim jim on most Nissan products. So there aren't any short cuts. They have to find a way to remove the inside panel, hopefully without damage.

Post by **Big_Tone** » Sat Feb 17, 2024 8:10 pm

VStar650CL wrote: ↑
Sat Feb 17, 2024 5:27 pm
Nope, there's no arm or anything to catch with a slim jim on most Nissan products. So there aren't any short cuts. They have to find a way to remove the inside panel, hopefully without damage.

I think they were able to get the panel off. Once it's off how do you open the door?

Post by **VStar650CL** » Sat Feb 17, 2024 10:48 pm

They need to locate one of the two the little arms on the bottom of the latch where the cables pull and work them manually. If the latch is jammed and won't respond to roughhousing the arms, the only remedy is to knock it apart with a long chisel and a sledge, then replace it once the door is open.

Post by **Big_Tone** » Tue Feb 20, 2024 3:27 pm

VStar650CL wrote: ↑
Sat Feb 17, 2024 10:48 pm
They need to locate one of the two the little arms on the bottom of the latch where the cables pull and work them manually. If the latch is jammed and won't respond to roughhousing the arms, the only remedy is to knock it apart with a long chisel and a sledge, then replace it once the door is open.

Turns out it was the brand new actuator that failed within an hour of being installed. Luckily I still had the old one that was still working. Once they got the door open they installed it and the replacement door handle and all is well. Thanks for all your help!

Post by **VStar650CL** » Tue Feb 20, 2024 3:43 pm

Post by **Dbarry** » Tue Feb 20, 2024 8:45 pm

Big_Tone wrote: ↑
Tue Feb 20, 2024 3:27 pm

VStar650CL wrote: ↑
Sat Feb 17, 2024 10:48 pm
They need to locate one of the two the little arms on the bottom of the latch where the cables pull and work them manually. If the latch is jammed and won't respond to roughhousing the arms, the only remedy is to knock it apart with a long chisel and a sledge, then replace it once the door is open.
Turns out it was the brand new actuator that failed within an hour of being installed. Luckily I still had the old one that was still working. Once they got the door open they installed it and the replacement door handle and all is well. Thanks for all your help!

Hope the old actuator will last.

Post by **Big_Tone** » Wed Feb 21, 2024 10:51 am

Dbarry wrote: ↑
Tue Feb 20, 2024 8:45 pm

Big_Tone wrote: ↑
Tue Feb 20, 2024 3:27 pm

Turns out it was the brand new actuator that failed within an hour of being installed. Luckily I still had the old one that was still working. Once they got the door open they installed it and the replacement door handle and all is well. Thanks for all your help!
Hope the old actuator will last.

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